Techniques include collecting current logs from distributed sources, selecting a group of the current logs that are from a related source of the distributed sources, and generating a feature vector using the group of the current logs. A current status model is created for the feature vector using the group of the current logs. One or more anomalies are determined in the group of the current logs based on a difference between the current status model and a reference status model, the reference status model being based on history logs.

The present invention generally relates to computer systems, and more specifically, to computer systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer program products for performing log-based log status modeling and problem diagnosis for distributed applications.
In computing, syslog is a standard for message logging, generally referred to as logs. Syslog allows separation of the software that generates messages, the system that stores the messages, and the software that reports and analyzes the messages. Each message is labeled with a facility code, indicating the software type generating the message, and is assigned a severity level. Computer system designers may use syslog for system management and security auditing as well as general informational, analysis, and debugging messages. A wide variety of devices, such as printers, routers, and message receivers across many platforms use the syslog standard. This permits the consolidation of logging data from different types of systems in a central repository. Implementations of syslog exist for many operating systems.

Log-based status modeling and problem diagnosis for distributed applications

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


In a process for processing cylinder crankcases having sprayed cylinder barrels, in which process a cylinder crankcase is cast, those surfaces of the subsequent cylinder barrels which are to be thermally coated are roughened, the cylinder barrels are coated by a thermal spraying process, and the cylinder barrels are remachined to final dimensions. After the thermal spraying process, coating material is at least partially removed from the crankshaft-side part of the cylinder crankcase.

The present invention relates to a process for processing cylinder crankcases having sprayed cylinder barrels.
For production of engines with thermally sprayed cylinder bearing surfaces, it is known from European document EP 1 141 438 B1 to cast, clean and degrease a cylinder crankcase, to roughen the cylinder bores by means of corundum or sand blasting, and then to thermally coat the cylinder bores. The coating and roughening operations use a template which covers cylinder bores which are not to be processed at that time and may have exchangeable consumable layers on the inner side. After the coating operation, the cylinder crankcase is machined to its final dimensions.
Despite the advantages of this process, in particular the bonding of the sprayed layer which subsequently forms the cylinder bearing surface is in need of improvement. Furthermore, the outlay on equipment is very high. This is also true of the production costs.
One object of this invention is to develop a process which allows good bonding of the layer to be achieved, while production is as economical as possible, with as low a scrap rate as possible.
This object is achieved by a process for processing cylinder crankcases having sprayed cylinder barrels in which a cylinder crankcase is cast, those surfaces of the subsequent cylinder barrels which are to be thermally coated are roughened, and the cylinder barrels are remachined to their final dimensions. The following text describes a process for producing a cylinder crankcase with thermally sprayed cylinder liners, clearly revealing the advantages attributable to the invention. This route is selected since the advantages in some cases only manifest themselves at a completely different location. During production, a cylinder crankcase is cast. The material used for the cylinder crankcase, which is preferably produced as a shaped casting, particularly preferably as a pressure die casting, is a gray cast iron material or a light metal material, such as an aluminum alloy.
A cast cylinder crankcase according to the invention has an oversized dimension at least in the region of the cylinder head sealing surface and, in the case of a four-cylinder engine, has four cylinder bores arranged in line. The walls of the cylinder bores are provided with a bearing surface layer. The bearing surface layer is applied, after preprocessing of the cylinder bores or of the cylinder crankcase, by way of a thermal spraying process and, in particular, a plasma and/or arc wire spraying process.
The materials used here are preferably thermal spraying materials which are customary for such purposes, preferably Fe-containing materials. The layer thickness of the bearing surface layer is usually several hundred micrometers and, preferably, at least 150 micrometers.
After casting, the cast cylinder crankcase is cleaned and degreased. Then, the surface of the cylinder bores is roughened. It is preferable for roughening to be carried out by way of a fluid which is blasted onto the walls at a high pressure (several hundred to several thousand bar). In this case, as in the case, for example, of sand blasting, it is also possible for solid particles, such as sand or corundum, to be added to the blasting fluid. In the present application, processes of this type are referred to merely as blasting processes or as blasting machining, for the sake of simplicity.
It is preferable to use a particle-free water jet to which 1-5% by volume of a liquid cleaning agent and/or a liquid preservative has been added. The use of the preservative at least reduces the risk of the blasted cylinder crankcase and the device suffering corrosion, with the cleaning agent being used for further or better removal of impurities or residual coverings, such as center sleeve parting agents used in pressure die casting.
If the blasting machining uses a water jet of this type, it is expedient that a cylinder crankcase which has been blasted in this manner does not require any complex cleaning processes. This is associated, inter alia, with a reduction in overall processing costs, less space being taken up by the machines, and reduced investment costs.
The blast machining which is provided for the purpose of roughening can advantageously be used not only to roughen the surface to be coated, but also at the same time to clean and degrease the walls of the cylinder bores. In this case, it is particularly appropriate to use liquid cleaning agent. This, inter alia, reduces a working step and therefore the machine costs, with a simultaneous associated reduction in processing time and costs per item.
Since the hardness may vary along the axial extent of the cylinder bore, it is expedient for the time of action on the wall of the cylinder bore which is to be machined to be selected in such a manner that, where the hardness of the wall is lowest, the amount of material removed plus the internal diameter which then remains corresponds at most to the subsequent final dimension minus the minimum application of material required for the bearing surface layer. In this context, tests have shown that it is favorable to remove at most between 0.020 and 0.140 mm, preferably between 0.004 mm and 0.006 mm.
In anticipation of the further process, it should also be mentioned in this context in particular that to improve the subsequent bonding of the sprayed layer to the cylinder crankcase, it is expedient for the cylinder bore—as seen in the direction of the crankshaft—to also be roughened at least slightly (a few mm) beyond the region of the subsequent cylinder bearing surface on the crankshaft side in the manner described, and also for it to be cleaned, degreased, and, if appropriate, machined in a suitable way.
Surprisingly, it has been established that when using a (high-pressure) blasting process, it is expedient for a lance which guides the jet and is directed onto the wall of the cylinder bore to be operated in such a manner that it is for some time activated outside the cylinder bore. This means that it is operated at most at the subsequent working pressure with the fluid, in particular with water or a fluid provided with solid particles. Then, the lance is introduced into the cylinder bore, and the walls are covered by the jet and processed in the desired way.
Of course, to reduce the operating times and therefore also, inter alia, to reduce costs, it is expedient for a plurality of roughening lances to be used for the roughening and/or the machining by means of blasting and/or the cleaning and degreasing which is expediently carried out in the process, in particular by the addition of the cleaning agents and/or preservatives. Surprisingly, it has been established that with this procedure it is expedient for these lances to be operated in such a manner that they are activated not only—as mentioned in the case of the use of a single lance—for a certain time outside the cylinder bore, but also for the jets which escape in the process to be directed onto a baffle surface. The baffle surface in this case advantageously serves to stabilize the working jet and therefore to improve the reproducibility of the working results.
In a preferred configuration of the baffle surface in the form of a hollow cylinder, in which the jet outlet for the jet is to be arranged, the lances can, in an improved version, be rotated without problems, as is already the case for covering the walls of the cylinder bores with the jet. This reduces interference with the two lances by the other lance in each instance. The baffle surfaces which concentrically surround the lances are preferably made from a hard metal or reinforced steel (e.g. in particular case-hardened steel No. 1.7131 (16MoCr5)), so that the abrasive action of the jets, which are passed out of the lances from a fan jet nozzle, despite their extremely high pressure, is relatively slight, and the service life of baffle surfaces of this type is very long.
The same objective is also served by the use of a single pressure source for the lances which are in use, since in this case identical or similar working results can be assumed for the cylinder bores which have been processed in each instance. This has a particular influence on the above mentioned machining of the wall of the cylinder bore which is subsequently to be coated.
If a plurality of lances are used for simultaneous processing of a plurality of cylinder bores belonging to a line of cylinders, these lances are expediently not introduced simultaneously into cylinder bores which directly follow one another. Instead, at least one cylinder is to be left clear between the cylinder bores into which the lances are introduced. This, inter alia, reduces the influence which the lances have on one another and the potential threat to the lances, in particular from their jets. In particular, the guidance of the lances is also simplified, since the free space between two lances is increased.
In cylinder crankcases with an odd number of cylinder bores, when using a plurality of jet lances simultaneously, it is expedient for at least one to be configured such that it can be moved in the axial direction independently of the other and/or for them to be operated separately from one another with the blasting fluid, i.e. in particular with water. As a result, by way of example, one of the lances, when it is not arranged in a cylinder bore, can be switched off and/or operated in the region of the baffle surface and/or remain in an at-rest position, while the other blasting lance is applying the jet to one of the cylinder bores.
It is preferable for the cylinder crankcase to be fitted with one or more hollow-cylindrical baffle surfaces within the blasting machining unit, specifically in the region in which the blasting lances are also introduced into the cylinder bores. It is expedient for the baffle surfaces in this case to be arranged on a guide, by means of which they can be lowered onto the cylinder head sealing surface and put or placed and fixed on it in a defined position. For this purpose, the guide for the baffle surfaces is expediently arranged around a lance, so that the lance can be arranged within the hollow-cylindrical baffle surface and the baffle surface can be guided concentrically around the lance.
After blast machining, the cylinder crankcase, which may have been preprocessed, in particular face-milled, on the cylinder head sealing surface but still has an oversized dimension of preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 mm and particularly preferably between 0.4 and 0.5 mm, is removed from the blast machining unit. The blast machining unit preferably has a turntable with at least two receptacles, so that simultaneous loading of the machining unit in the region of the lances and removal and/or loading of a receptacle is possible. Alternatively, this can also be realized by linear drives or other similar customary production tools.
After blast machining, i.e. at least roughening of the walls of the cylinder bores, the cylinder crankcase is tilted. For this purpose, the cylinder crankcase is rotated about a longitudinal axis of a cylinder line, so that an acute angle between the axial axis of a cylinder bore and the field line of the weight is present at least in a rotary position which is held at least for a short time. It is preferable for the cylinder crankcase, starting from the initial position defined by the cylinder head sealing surface facing upwards, is rotated through more than 90° (120°, 170°). In this context, it is proven expedient for the cylinder crankcase to be rotated as slowly as possible. In particular, the movement into this tilted position should last at least five seconds. It is preferable for at most the time which can be made available by the cycle time of the processing line to be used for this tilting. It is expedient for the cylinder crankcase even to be rotated through one full revolution about its longitudinal axis. During this tilting, inter alia the blasting fluid is at least in part removed in a simple way from the cylinder bores and in particular from desired recesses or undercuts and also recesses and/or undercuts which are also desired for the bonding of the subsequent coating and which were formed by the roughening operation.
It is expedient for the tilting of the cylinder crankcase to take place during the time in which it is being transported from the point of removal from the blasting machining unit into a drying processing unit. During this time, the cylinder crankcase can expediently also be acted on by compressed air which has preferably been heated to at least 50° C., particularly preferably to at least 70° C. This measure improves the removal of the blasting fluid still further.
In the drying processing unit, the cylinder crankcase is heated after it has been roughened, and the residual moisture is at least substantially, and optimally completely, removed. A standard furnace, the interior air of which is continuously recirculated and if appropriate also dried, can be used for this purpose. Furthermore, within the furnace it may be expedient to continue to blow hot air onto the cylinder crankcase.
After drying, the cylinder crankcase is transferred to a thermal coating processing unit, inside which the cylinder bores are coated in order to form what will subsequently be the cylinder bearing surfaces. The thermal coating processing unit, like the blasting processing unit, preferably likewise has a turntable with at least two receptacles, so that, in this case too, simultaneous loading of this processing unit in the region of coating lances and removal and/or loading of a receptacle is possible. Alternatively, this can also be realized by linear drives or other standard production tools of this type.
It is preferable for the cylinder crankcase to be provided with at least one spraying template, which is designed as a piece of tube and therefore in hollow-cylindrical form and the clear width of which is greater than the clear width of a cylinder bore, in the region of the coating processing unit. The axial length of this spraying template approximately corresponds to the width of the thermal spraying jet, i.e. approx. 20 to 30 mm. The spraying template is preferably fitted outside the region of the coating processing unit in which a coating lance is arranged. As a result, in the case of a spraying template which has already been used, this template can be checked and if necessary removed in good time, for example if it is excessively soiled and/or the coating material is thought to have low adhesion, without involving significant intervention in the actual production sequence. It is expedient for the spraying template to be put or placed in a defined position on the cylinder head sealing surface in the region of the outer receptacle of the coating unit and fixed there. In this case, a single tubular spraying template is provided for a cylinder bore; it is possible to provide at least a single cylinder bore, but also a plurality of or all of the cylinder bores, of a cylinder crankcase with an associated tubular, hollow-cylindrical spraying template. In this case, a preferably continuous circular ring is formed between the inner wall of the spraying template and the cylinder crankcase in the region of the cylinder bore shielded by the spraying template. The thickness of the circular ring is at most 1 cm and is preferably between 0.3 and 0.7, particularly preferably approximately 0.5 mm.
The cylinder crankcase, which has now preferably been provided with a hollow-cylindrical spraying template similar to a piece of tube on the cylinder head sealing surface and still has an oversized dimension of preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 mm, particularly preferably between 0.4 and 0.5 mm, is introduced into an inner region of the coating processing unit, in which the coating of the walls of the cylinder bores is to be carried out by a thermal spraying process. The cylinder crankcase, which is held at a defined position with a spraying template arranged in a defined position on it, is transported under a coating lance, which is configured such that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Furthermore, if only a single hollow-cylindrical spraying template is being used, the cylinder crankcase may likewise be configured such that it can rotate about this axis, the axis then being aligned with the axis of the individual cylinder bore which is to be coated. When adopting a procedure of this nature, it is advantageous if in each case only a single cylinder bore of a line of cylinders is thermally coated.
For this purpose—as also in the other cases—it is possible for an individual hollow-cylindrical, tube-like spraying template to be provided for each individual cylinder bore or for a plurality of cylinder bores or for all the cylinder bores; the spraying template may for its part once again be arranged on a base plate.
It is preferable for the coating lance to be started outside the cylinder bore, in order to rule out transient initial effects. In this case, the spray jet may, for example, be directed onto the inner surface of the spraying template, in order in particular to reduce soiling of the installation. After an initial running time, the coating lance is moved into the cylinder bore, and the coating is applied in a desired minimum thickness in accordance with a predeterminable working sequence. During the application of the coating, it is expedient for a gas, preferably an inert gas, to be passed through the cylinder bore so as to partially remove spray particles from the bore. The flow velocity in this case is expediently between 7 and 12, preferably approximately 10 m/s.
To coat a respective cylinder bore, a single cylinder bore or a plurality of cylinder bores or all the cylinder bores can be with and without separate retraction and refitting with spraying template
The processing station described for the coating of the cylinder bores with a layer which has been thermally sprayed and preferably applied by means of an arc wire spraying process (AWS process), therefore includes a blasting processing unit and a coating processing unit. It is expedient for each of these units to be assigned a loading station, which simultaneously forms a removal station, so that the units can be loaded with cylinder crankcases for the respective working step and finished cylinder crankcases can be removed again at the same station. The blasting and coating processing units are also assigned a dry processing unit, in which the cylinder crankcase is heated after the blasting operation and the blasting fluid is at least substantially removed.
After the cylinder bore has been coated, the cylinder crankcase is removed from the coating processing unit and transferred to the further, chip-forming processing operation. Here, the sprayed C, i.e. the cylinder barrel, preferably cylinder bore, is rough-honed, a bevel is introduced in the region of the cylinder head sealing surface, the cylinder head sealing surface is milled to its final dimension, preferably by means of disposable cutting tool tips, and the cylinder barrels are finish-honed to their final dimension in one or more steps. Apart from the rough-honing and finish-honing, which at least have to follow one another in terms of time, these machining working steps can in principle be carried out in any desired order.
It is appropriate, however, for the bevel to be introduced after the rough-honing, since in this case the finished cylinder bearing surface is no longer soiled or is only slightly soiled. The same also applies to the milling of the cylinder head sealing surface to its final dimension. It is expedient for the bevel to be formed in such a way, in terms of its inclination and depth of introduction, that it has no sprayed material, but rather only cast material, at the subsequent transition between the bevel and the cylinder head sealing surface which has been machined to its final dimension. It is therefore expedient for the bevel to be formed after the rough-honing and before the finish-machining of the cylinder head sealing surface and of the cylinder barrel. On account of this sequence, the finished cylinder bearing surface is no longer soiled or is only slightly soiled, and furthermore the bonding of the sprayed material is improved, since it is no longer at risk, for example by being lifted off by means of a cutting edge, from the face-milling of the cylinder head sealing surface to its final dimension. With all the actions which have been mentioned and also those which are yet to be described below, it is also expedient for the cutting edges of the respective machining tools to engage in the material which is to be removed from the outside, i.e. approximately parallel to the surface orthogonal. This at least reduces or even altogether prevents detachment of a material as a result of the cutting edge engaging from below with the material subsequently being lifted off by the cutting edge.
It is preferable for a cone (countersinking drill, milling cutter or the like) mounted in universally jointed fashion to be used to introduce the insertion bevel, the cone having, at its introduction end side, a guide pin, the external effective diameter of which is selected in such a manner that in terms of the machining tolerances it corresponds at most to the smallest clear width of the coated cylinder bore.
The guide pin is designed as a honing head, the cutting edges of which are matched to the final dimension of the cylinder bearing surfaces. It is preferable for the honing head to have cutting edges which can move in the radial direction and which can be locked in the at-reset position and in the working position. This allows the introduction of the bevel and the honing to be carried out in a single operation within one processing station.
It is expedient for the guide pin to be placed against the cylinder bore, oriented at an inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis of the latter in the region of the subsequent insertion bevel, and thereby aligned. After floating and/or vibrating and/or shaking alignment, the guide pin is oriented axially parallel to, and preferably aligned with, the longitudinal axis of the cylinder bore. After or during the axial orientation of the insertion pin, the latter is simultaneously lowered at least part way into the cylinder bore.
As in the region of the cylinder head sealing surface, inter alia to improve the bonding of the sprayed material, it is expedient for the coated cylinder bore of the cylinder crankcase to be provided with an end bevel in the region of the crankshaft outlet side. The end bevel is designed in such a manner that there is no coating material, but rather only the cast or base material, at the transition from the end bevel to the crankshaft space. After the end bevel has been introduced, coating material which has been deposited during the thermal spraying is removed at least partially from the crankshaft-side part of the cylinder crankcase, i.e. from the crankshaft space. The coating material is removed by a jet 70 (FIG. 2), preferably a liquid jet mixed with solid particles and/or a water jet, which is operated with a pressure of between 300 and 1000 bar, preferably between 300 and 600 bar. Between 1 and 5% by volume of cleaning agent and/or preservative are added to the jet. Therefore, the same fluid which was already used during the roughening operation can be used as blasting fluid for cleaning the crankshaft space. However, the difference is that a significantly lower pressure is used in this case. The material which continues to adhere to the walls of the crankshaft space after this pressurized-jet cleaning can remain there since, as tests have proven, it does not become detached even under extremely high loads. In this case too, to avoid unnecessary soiling of the cylinder bearing surface, it is expedient for the cylinder bore only to be machined to its final dimension after the end bevel has been introduced. Furthermore, it is also expedient for the machining of the cylinder bore to its final dimension only to be carried out after the finish-machining of the crankshaft space.
In the same way as for introduction of the insertion bevel, a circular milling cutter can be used to introduce the end bevel. It is expedient for a guide pin, the external effective diameter of which is selected in such a manner that in terms of the machining tolerances it corresponds at most to the smallest clear width of the coated cylinder bore, is expediently arranged at the introduction-side end of this circular milling cutter. The further formation and expedient procedures can be inferred from what has already been described above.
Alternatively, it is possible for a cone mounted in universally jointed fashion to be used to introduce the end bevel in the same way as for the introduction of the insertion bevel. It is expedient for a guide pin, the external effective diameter of which is selected in such a manner that in terms of the machining tolerances it corresponds at most to the smallest clear width of the coated cylinder bore, to be arranged at the introduction-side end of this cone. The further formation and advantageous procedures can be discerned from what has already been described.
As has already been mentioned, it is expedient to ensure that during chip-forming machining of the insertion bevel and/or of the end bevel and/or of the cylinder head sealing surface and/or of the crankshaft space and/or of the cylinder bore, the respective machining tool is guided in such a manner that the respective cutting edges penetrate into the layer material which is to be removed from the outside.
During the cleaning/removal of coating material from the crankshaft space, it is expedient for the cylinder to be covered. For this purpose, a ram is introduced into the cylinder or moved onto the end bevel. It is preferable for the ram to be placed against the end bevel in such a manner as to form a circumferential and/or end seal, and preferably for the ram to form a sealing closure at the end bevel with the aid of a seal.
In engines with cylinders arranged in a number of lines (for example V or W engines), to prevent the introduction of spray material it is expedient for the individual lines to be shielded from one another in the region of the crankshaft space at least during the thermal coating by the introduction of a shielding template. For this purpose, the shielding template preferably has an elastomer layer which is arranged between two metal sheets and which can be placed against the walls of the crankshaft space in the region between two rows. In this case, it is expedient for both the metal sheets and the elastomer layer to be of a shape which is the negative of the contour to be applied. It is preferable for the metal sheets, when the shielding template is put in place, to be at a distance from the wall, whereas the sealing elastomer of the elastomer layer bears against the wall.
Further expedient configurations of the invention are defined in the claims. Moreover, the invention is explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures.

Process for processing cylinder crankcases having sprayed cylinder barrels


A device for collecting, transporting, and disposing of waste material comprising a handle and a body coupled to the handle further comprising an outer semi-circular frame having an inner cavity, a semi-circular insert inserted into the outer semi-circular frame, and a liner inserted into the semi-circular insert. The inner semi-circular insert rotates within the inner cavity of the outer semi-circular frame and the semi-circular insert further comprises a graspable protrusion coupled to a lateral surface of the semi-circular insert.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention to which this invention relates is the collection of animal solid waste. More specifically, this invention constitutes a device or system that integrates into common leashing systems and will be used by dog owners to clean up their dog's solid waste material while walking their dog. The design of this invention allows the pet owner to easily and quickly pick up the waste material, contain it in a sanitary, inexpensive, disposable bio-degradable container to carry the waste and discretely transport it, without having to carry an additional device in ones free hand, or further encumbering the leash hand, until it can be disposed of properly. Other products or prior art provide ways to carry plastic bags conveniently before use or in other cases provide a means to make "collecting" the waste material easier but none provide the pre-use convenience, speed, and a means to carry the waste after collection with out using ones free hand (non leash hand) or without further encumbering the leash hand in a discrete manner until disposal.
This invention, allows the dog owner to pick up the waste more quickly than other products usually less than 5 seconds start to finish, the owner does not have to make tactile connection with the waste, nor will the waste make contact with non-disposable areas of the devise, the disposable liner is biodegradable, and the waste is contained discretely within the device which is part of the leash system thereby alleviating the need to carry the waste in ones free hand or further encumber the hand holding the leash.
With 45 million dog owners and 65 million dogs in the United States alone, cleaning up dog waste can be a major problem in many urban and suburban areas in the U.S. and other cities around the world. Today in many cities it is mandatory, in others it is requested. In all cases, the easier and less offensive the process of waste pick up is, the more people will act responsibly in cleaning up after their pet in an environmentally friendly way.
2. Description of Prior Art
The following patents illustrate various prior art devices and methods of collecting pet waste:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,335 describes a pet waste collection system, which includes a main housing having a hollow inside and having a top, a bottom, a front, and a back and at least one sidewall, and having an opening accessible to the hollow inside area. There is also a telescopically extendable and contractible pole attached at a first end to the hollow inside area of the main housing and attached to a collapsible frame at its second end. The collapsible frame unfolds for a waste receptacle, i.e. a "pooper" bag, and is spaced behind the pet during defecation. In some embodiments, an attachment hook is located on said main housing for attachment thereof to a leash, a belt, or other attachable area or item.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,141,007 describes a shovel comprising walls forming an enclosure open at one end and closed at the opposite end, a sleeve rigid with the closed end of the shovel angularly and rearwardly therefrom, a pair of longitudinally spaced flanges integral with said sleeve, a collar rotatably mounted around the sleeve between said flanges and held from longitudinal movement thereby, a handle extending into and rigidly attached to said sleeve and projecting upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, and a rotary sleeve mounted on the outer end of said handle approximately at right angles to said first named sleeve and facilitating turning of the shovel to extend the open end thereof downwardly and discharge the contents therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,052,214 describes a disposable catcher for trapping and containing excrement and the like for disposal thereof, said catcher comprising, in combination, a bag holding and operating means comprising a stick, said stick comprising connecting rod and a connecting tubular rod holder disposed therearound to limit movement of said rod between a forward lid open and a rearward lid closed position, and a disposable bag readily detachably connected to said stick, said bag comprising a disposable bag body and a movable lid, said lid being readily detachably connected to said connecting rod and said bag body being detachably connected in supporting position to said connecting rod holder, whereby said lid can be moved to open and closed positions by movement of said connecting rod, said bag being readily detached from said stick by detachment of said lid and said bag body from said connecting rod and connecting rod holder, respectively.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,139,299 describes a refuse collector, comprising in combination: an elongated and vertically extending tube element, said tube having an outlet at the bottom thereof; an elongated element in longitudinal sliding in relationship and by the tube element, one of said elements being rigid and having a handle section for manipulating the collector; a bowl carried by and at the lower end of one of said elements; a scoop for the bowl; means for pivotally connecting the scoop to both of said elements; means coupling the upper end of the tube with a source of fluid; and a manually actuated valve carried by the tube for controlling the flow of liquid through the tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,281,178 describes a device for collecting and disposing of animal fecal matter, comprising, in combination, a handle, a first frame element, a second frame element, one end portion of said first frame element being spaced apart from and oppositely positioned with respect to one end portion of said second frame element, the other end portion of said first frame element being connected to said second frame element, said handle member being transversely positioned with respect to both said first frame element and second frame element and being connected to said connected first and second frame elements, and a bag member removably attached to said connected first and second frame elements at their respective one end portions spaced apart from and oppositely positioned with respect to each other, said bag member having a collar and a body portion integral with said collar, said collar being sealed to said body portion at least two opposite points thereof, each of said two opposite points being between said two spaced apart and oppositely positioned end portions of said first and second frame elements, said collar being positioned over said two spaced apart and oppositely positioned end portions of said first and second frame elements, said body portion being positioned between said first and second frame elements, whereby said device can be easily used without any fecal matter to be collected contacting the frame elements and whereby said bag member can be easily removed and then closed and sealed by raising and inverting one side of said collar.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,826 describes a portable combination flat package for use in removing dog refuse from an area in which it is deposited including: a flexible fibrous container in the form of a sack having an open end that is defined by first and second flat side walls, two end walls and a bottom, with said end walls and bottom having centrally disposed fold lines formed therein that extend the length thereof, and said first side wall includes as an integral part thereof an extension that projects beyond said open end, which container is selectively disposable in either a first position in which it is flattened, a second positioned in which it is expanded to receive dog refuse through said open end when said extension is placed in contact with the surface on which said refuse rests, and a third position in which said container is rolled upon itself with said refuse within the confines thereof, with said extension when said container is in said third position being wrapped thereabout to seal the same; a rectangular sheet of cardboard of substantial stiffness disposed within said container when in said first position to prevent lateral creasing of said container, which sheet has a plurality of spaced fold lines formed therein that extend longitudinally and transversely therein which aid in shaping said sheet into a scoop when said sheet is removed from said container, and when said sheet is so shaped it defines two parallel longitudinally extending flanged that act as stiffeners, in the use of said scoop to pick up refuse and deposit the same together with said sheet in said container when in said second position; and, tie means within said container in said third position for holding said container in said third position with said refuse and sheet within the confines thereof with said extension being wrapped around said container to seal the same.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,431,008 describes a portable scavenging apparatus for removing feces of animals and other untouchable objects comprising a box having an opening therein and a lid adapted to selectively close and open said opening, a stick having a first end mounted to a wall of said box, means for moving said lid selectively between its closed and open positions including a lever, a link, an arm, and a spring, said lever being pivotally mounted at a predetermined point intermediate its ends to said stick at a predetermined point adjacent the second end of said stick, a handle mounted in fixed position to said stick to provide a stationary member toward which one end of said lever may be manually pivoted, said spring being interposed between said handle and said lever to normally urge said one end of said lever away from said handle, said link being attached to the opposite end of said lever so as not to be moved away from said handle when said lever is manually pivoted toward said handle, said link being mounted to said arm and said arm being operative when said lever and said link are moved to move said lid between its closed and open positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,446,525 describes in a portable pickup device for grasping and transporting unclean material such as animal droppings and the like, said device having an elongated body provided with a handle at one end: pickup means carried at the other end of the body including a pair of pickup members in virtually parallel planes, said pair of pickup members including parallel bottom straight portions cooperable to move along a surface in close relation thereto whereby at least one straight portion is adapted to move beneath a dropping to be picked up, at least one of said pickup members being an open frame; means for moving at least one of the pickup members to and away from the other; and a disposable compliant wrapping means received and held on said pickup means with an opening at said bottom portions, the open frame pickup member being adapted to permit outward lateral displacement of said compliant wrapping means when a dropping is lifted by said straight portions of the pickup means for containing the dropping in said wrapping means at one side of the pickup means.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,039 describes an apparatus for handling and disposing of animal excrement and the like comprising in combination a tong member including a pair of levers pivotally connected together intermediate their ends, loop handle portions at one end of each of said levers, the other end of each of said levers having a transverse elongated scoop portion which curves concavely inwardly toward the opposite lever whereby said scoop portions form a closed-end scoop when said long end member is in the closed position, and tissue-retaining means on said tong member for retaining a package of tissues therein, said tissue retaining means including a receptacle connected to one of said pair of levers and a removable cover on said receptacle having an opening therein for the removal of tissues from said receptacle.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,606,436 describes a portable device for picking up objects underfoot comprising: a first assemblage including a first blade-like member secured to the lower end of a first operating rod and projecting angularly therefrom; a second assemblage including a second blade-like member secured to the lower end of a second operating rod and projecting angularly therefrom; hinging means pivotally interconnecting said first and second assemblages for pincers-like movement of said blade-like members upon manipulation of said operating rods; and, a bag having a portion of its open end detachably secured to said first blade-like member, another portion of its open end detachably secured to said second blade-like member, and a portion of its closed end detachably secured to one of said operating rods so that the inverted bag is selectively opened and closed by the pinchers-like movement of said blade-like members resulting from manipulation of said operating rods.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,891 describes a refuse collecting device having an improved tubular bag-mounting member at the lower end of a handle for collecting refuse such as animal leavings and the like. The refuse is collected in a disposable bag removably mounted on the tubular element in an improved manner for positive association with the tubular element during use while yet providing for facilitated withdrawal of the bagged matter in a sanitary manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,676,887 describes a flexible bag body portion that has a substantially rigid blade element permanently attached to one side wall thereof adjacent the open mouth of the bag body portion. A flexible closure flap is carried by the opposite side wall of the bag body portion and has an adhesive sealing area coact with a like area on the side wall of the body portion carrying the blade element. The bag is sealed with the litter and the blade element therein prior to disposal.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,263 describes a device for collecting articles and substances, comprising in combination: a handle; an adjustable shaft surmounted by said handle; a pair of outwardly inclined arms depending from said adjustable shaft; pivotal means depending from said arms; said pivotal means being normally maintained in an inclined, open position by spring means depending from said arms; said pivotable means being disposable into a horizontal, closed position when said pivotable means are in abutment with a surface and said handle is depressed; descendable means depending from said arms and contactable with said pivotable means when it is in said closed position, thereby obstructing the return of said pivotable means from said closed to said open position.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,757,737 describes a mechanical device for sequentially loading multiple bodies of animal dropping from the ground in to a disposable bag. The illustrated device has an elongated handle which carries a pickup means at its lower end. The pickup means includes means for releasably holding a bag with the mouth of the bag held open in a generally vertical plane, and a movable paddle proportioned and arranged to engage and propel a body of animal droppings into the bag through the open mouth. The movement of the paddle is remotely controlled from the upper end of the handle by a manually movable lever which is operable to impart a rapid propelling movement to the paddle.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,778,097 describes a device for retrieving litter that has manually actuated positioning means connected to a litter receptacle holder and a pushing member adapted to be enclosed in an envelope releasably secured about the pushing member. Actuation of the positioning means causes coaction between a litter receptacle mounted in the litter receptacle holder and the enveloped pushing member, so that litter is forced into the litter receptacle and held in the litter receptacle by the pushing surface. While the litter is being held within the litter receptacle by the enveloped pushing member, the envelope is released from about the pushing member and reversed to envelope the opening of the litter receptacle. The litter receptacle can then be manually ejected into the envelope when the positioning means are actuated to move the pushing member away from the litter receptacle.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,780 describes a portable canine toilet, in combination a holder and disposable waste receiving means adapted to be removably fitted upon the holder. The holder has a projecting means mounted on its rod portion, and the receiving means has a partially circumferential sleeve along its upper portion and into which the lower part of the holder is inserted. The receiving means also has a stringed collar at the top of the upper portion, the protruding portion of the string normally positioned on the projecting means.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,448 describes an elongated light weight shaft that has at one end a handgrip portion and at the other end a scavenging scoop receptacle with an inlet opening facing transversely of the length of the shaft. An electric light on or near the handgrip portion illuminates the receptacle inlet and the locale adjacent thereto. The implement may be manipulated by one hand of a user while the user is standing in his normal upright position. The scoop receptacle may include, or support, a detachable disposable container or liner. A closure lid is hingedly mounted relative to the scoop receptacle so that the lid can be moved into an open position while the receptacle is in scooping position and into closed position upon completion of the scooping operation, selectively, by manipulation of the shaft by the supporting hand of user. A pusher tool or brush is carried by the shaft near the receptacle. Propelling means are provided in the receptacle and are operable manually to propel the material scooped into the entry of the receptacle farther into the receptacle and away from the inlet opening so that the material can be carried in the receptacle without danger of spillage even with the shaft carried substantially upright.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,819,220 describes a sanitary device for pets which comprises a wand having at one end a pair of spring arms which normally are biased apart. A disposable receptacle having sleeve portions around its normally open top has such portions fitted on said arms to be held open thereby and positioned beneath a pet to receive feces as the latter is discharged. The receptacle is fitted on the arms; the arms squeezed together, the receptacle wrapped around the arms and a sleeve telescoped on the wand to retain the device in readiness. After use, the receptacle may be expelled from the arms by extending the sleeve.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,768 describes a device for sanitary pickup of ground deposited excrement comprises a metal frame structure having an excrement engaging pickup portion and a conventional bag supporting portion. Said bag holding portion positively retains a conventional shopping bag on the holding portion in a manner to hold the mouth of the bag open for ready reception of the said excrement together with additional structure supported by the handle for quick and easy release of said bag from positive retention on the support portion. Additional covers are also provided for the excrement engaging portion of the device to increase the usefulness of said device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,887 describes a pickup device of highly functional yet inexpensive construction, comprising a pair of loop-shaped portions that are hinged together, with the loop-shaped portions being movable to a widely separated position such that an inverted bag that has been partially turned inside out may be inserted between the loops. Handle portions located above the hinge locations are able to be grasped by the user and brought together, with such action serving to bring base portions of the loops, as well as certain neck portions of the bag together. This action makes the device readily adaptable for the picking up of material from a floor or sidewalk, such as that deposited by an animal, with this arrangement advantageously serving to cause the removed material to be enveloped in the bottom portion of the bag, with the upper portions of the bag thereafter being easily brought together and tied, and with the exterior of the bag and the pickup device remaining unsoiled throughout the entire procedure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,272 describes a hand portable and single hand operable device for picking up animal excrement and the like comprised of a pair of metal rods fixed close enough together at one end as V shaped extensions from a spring loop to form a handle portion for grasping with one hand about both rods which are deflectable toward each other by pressure of the hand. At the other end of each of the rods is a bag support member comprised of an elongated bag support wire loop formation having two substantially parallel width portions and two opposed length portions with length portions farthest from the handle portion in each bag support loop formation being straight and parallel to each other and moveable toward each other into line contact with each other by deflection of the rods. A bag having flexible sidewalls and an opening with a cuff is mounted on the respective bag support wire loop formation in a manner that the opening is at and controlled by the parallel straight portions of the bag support loop formations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,410 describes a frame that comprises a handle and a pair of legs extending therefrom with the handle being substantially U-shaped and having a taut wire spanning the distal ends of the legs. A plastic or paper bag is engaged between the legs with one side of the open end folded over the taut wire and the legs and the forefinger of the hand holding the handle engaging the other side of the open end and tensioning the same against the wire. This holds the bag in the open position. The primary use is for scooping up waste material from animals such as dogs but it can also be used to hold a bag upright in the open position with one hand so that the bag can be filled with material by the other hand. It can also be used in industry for sanitary sampling of granular, comminuted, or liquid materials. In one embodiment the frame is foldable for easy storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,370 describes a portable pet toilet having an elongated pole having first and second ends. The first end provides a handle. Securely mounted on the second end of the pole is a pair of selectively adjustable arms for supporting a disposable receptacle. The arms are adjustable in order to provide the capability of accommodating receptacles of different sizes and shape.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

“Scoopeeze” portable canine waste pick-up device


A tool for crimping a flanged vehicle door panel onto a door frame includes a pneumatic power unit that attaches to a crimping head unit. The head unit includes a rectangular housing with a circular aperture for attachment of a crimping head member. The rectangular housing also has an attached anvil portion that includes a central channel for holding a nylon pad. The crimping head member mounts above the anvil and nylon pad with a small amount of clearance there between. The head member has a leading edge that curves upwardly away from the nylon pad. In operation, the flanged door panel is positioned so the flange extends upwardly from the frame. The user moves the tool along the edge of the door frame with the crimping head member moving in a limited arc to incrementally crimp the flange tightly against the frame supported on the nylon pad as the tool moves along the edge of the work piece.

Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The present invention relates to an auto body tool and, more particularly, to a powered crimping tool for folding the flange of an automobile replacement door skin panel to an existing door shell.
This invention relates to crimping tools and, more particularly, to a powered crimping tool for folding the flange of an automobile replacement door skin panel to an existing door shell as well as for crimping other irregularly shaped parts.
Every aspect of sheet metal work requires a relatively large amount of crimping operations. Sheet metal parts are crimped to increase their strength, to fasten a plurality of sheet metal parts to each other, or to prepare them for subsequent welding, and to enhance the appearance of the parts. Most crimping operations are performed in a workshop or a factory where the final part is being manufactured. Usually there are relatively large and expensive machines available that rapidly crimp long sections. These machines are also capable of crimping irregularly shaped sheet metal edges as long as it is economically feasible to adapt a relatively expensive machine to such a task.
A problem was encountered when a crimping operation had to be performed without the help of such machines. This is frequently the case where a last crimp has to be made upon installation of a part or where an already installed part has to be repaired. In those instances, the machines found in workshops and factories are not available or, due to their bulkiness, cannot be employed. The crimping operation then had to be performed by hand. This is done by supporting the part to be crimped with a block, such as a steel block, having a relatively large mass and manually hammering the other side of the sheet metal to deform and crimp it. Automobile repair work, and particularly the installation of door panels after the original door panel had been damaged in an accident, are recurring examples of such work.
A crimping operation performed in this manner is time-consuming and, therefore, uneconomical. Moreover, the final appearance of the crimped part is not always satisfactory since the workman has relatively little control when striking the sheet metal part with a hammer. This is particularly true when there is limited access for striking the part with the hammer.
Since a relatively large space is required for swinging the hammer, parts must often be disassembled to give the workman access for striking his hammer. Again, an example of this is the door of an automobile that receives a new outside door panel. The edge of the door adjacent the door hinges cannot be reached with a manual hammer. In order to crimp this edge the door has to be removed from its hinges, which involves additional and time-consuming labor. Modern cars have a variety of electrical equipment in the door, such as cigarette lighters, power-operated windows, locks, seats, and mirrors which must be electrically disconnected first. To make the disconnections, the inside panel of the door must be taken off, which includes all handles, switches and armrests. After the door has thus been disassembled, removed, and the outside panel crimped thereto, all parts have to be assembled again and the door installed thereafter.
Large amounts of labor, which is the most expensive part in automobile repair work, have to be expended in order to attach a new outside door panel to the door. All this labor was necessary only because crimping tools that were capable of reaching areas that could not be reached by a manual hammer used for crimping a part were not available in the past.
Various devices for use in fastening or crimping one piece of sheet metal to another have been granted patents. Myers, in U.S. Pat. No. 421,187, describes a double handled device with a pair of mating jaws that crimp together the edges of two pieces of sheet metal or roofing.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,143,339, Wiese discloses a roof seaming tool that has a plyers-like head with an overlapping jaw portion for grasping and crimping two sheet metal pieces together.
Chaplin, Sr., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,166,961, describes a sheet metal roofing fastener bender tool that includes a handle section with a semicircular head that crimps a nail or similar fastener around an I-beam or C-channel support.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,180,128, Faulkner discloses a lever operated crimping tool with a biasing spring to hold the crimping rod away from the handle. Only a small area can be crimped at one time.
Buske, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,356, describes another panel crimping tool that attaches to an air hammer. The tool includes a flat anvil and a hammer head, pivoted to the tool frame, which is driven by the piston rod of the air hammer.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,272, Hunter discloses yet another panel crimping tool that attaches to an air hammer. The tool has an interchangeable anvil and a pivoted hammer head which is driven via a rod member, within a handle portion, by the air hammer.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,032, Skintzis discloses a pneumatic hammer with a crimping jaw head designed for attaching a replacement panel over a damaged door of an automobile. The head has a pivoting jaw that applies force against an opposed support surface to crimp the free end of a flange about a door panel. The moving jaw is small in order to apply the replacement panel with the door attached to the automobile.
Osbolt, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,518, describes a hand operated crimping device for attaching a replacement panel over a damaged door of an automobile. The device includes a flat anvil jaw portion and an L-shaped crimping member that presses the free end of a flange against a door panel. Again, the crimping member is quite small in the area that contacts the flange.
Barber et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,907, disclose a metal edge turning power tool. The bending portion of the device attaches to a standard reciprocating jig saw and includes two blade members. One blade member rests against the sheet metal while the other blade member moves reciprocally to bend the edge of a horizontal piece of sheet metal vertically.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,211, by Hoskinson discloses a crimping tool for automobile door panels. The hand operated tool has a pair of levers pivoted to one another with the pivoted ends defining the holding and crimping jaws. The jaws press the free end of a flange against a door panel. Again, the crimping member is quite small in the area that contacts the flange.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,724, Gee discloses a seaming tool for air ducts where one panel forms a bent flange and another flange forms a flange receiving channel. The tool aligns the two panels and drives the flange into the channel when struck with a hammer or similar item.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,959 by Bennett describes a tool for coupling sections of air handling ducts. The plyers-like device has jaws that are specially formed to connect, bend over and collapse the peripheral lips of the duct sections. The sequence of steps is shown in FIGS. 2-5.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,676, Diggins discloses a flange rolling hand tool that deforms the edge of a metal sheet to provide a flange or edge portion, which is offset from the plane of the sheet. The plyers-like device has two opposed rollers that crimp the edge of the sheet metal.
Dacey, Jr., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,595, describes a single station hemming device for fabricating auto body parts. The device has a series of hemming tools positioned around the periphery of the two pieces to be joined together. The station laps one edge over the other of the two parts and crimps them together. The station is specific for each part of an auto, such as a hood or trunk cover.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,101 by Welty discloses a hand-held pneumatic tool for installing the corners of transverse duct systems. The tool has a pivoting jaw that moves toward a stationary jaw to crimp two duct flanges together.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,732, Bootka discloses another plyers-like tool for manually crimping a flanged vehicle door panel onto a door frame without the need to remove the door from the vehicle body. The jaws move in a pincher-like fashion to crimp the flange flat.
Parker, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,617, describes a pneumatic decking crimper for fastening and dimpling structural steel decking and roofing panels together. The jaws move in a pincher-like fashion to fasten the male and female lips of the decking together.
Applicant has invented a powered crimping tool for folding the flange of an automobile replacement door skin panel to an existing door shell. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the a double clip device.
The present invention is a tool for crimping a flanged vehicle door panel onto a door frame. The auto body crimping tool assembly includes a hollow housing body member with a first aperture centered on a body member first axis at one end thereof. The body member also includes a second aperture centered on a body member second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The housing body member includes an offset anvil bed member adjacent the body member second aperture with a flat surface aligned with the body member first axis. A nylon pad is adjustably secured to the anvil bed member. A crimping head member is pivotally mounted near an end thereof on a drive shaft member rotatably secured in the body member second aperture with the crimping head member positioned a selected distance above the nylon pad and anvil bed member. The crimping head member has a flat crimping surface facing the nylon pad and anvil bed member adjacent the pivotally mounted end thereof and a helical crimping surface facing the nylon pad and anvil bed member opposite the pivotally mounted end thereof, with the helical crimping surface inclined away from the housing body member. A power source positioned at the body member first aperture is operably connected to the drive shaft member and imparts reciprocal rotary motion to the drive shaft, causing the flat and helical crimping surfaces of the crimping head member to pivot away from and toward the nylon pad and anvil bed member, thereby crimping a replacement door skin panel to a door shell as the edges of the panel and shell move between the crimping head member and nylon pad and anvil bed member.
In operation, the flanged door panel is positioned so the flange extends upwardly from the frame. The user moves the tool along the edge of the door frame with the crimping head member moving in a limited arc to incrementally crimp the flange tightly against the frame as the tool moves along the edge of the work piece. The crimped flange and door frame pass between the crimping head member and the nylon pad and anvil member. The nylon pad contacts the exterior of the door panel to prevent damage or scuffing of the panel surface that is normally exposed on the exterior of the automobile.